Club history

Advertisements

Early history

The Carlton Football Club was formed in July, 1864.

In the early days, Carlton became particularly strong and having grown a large supporter base became a fierce rival to the Melbourne Football Club in early competition including the Caledonian Challenge Cup which it dominated in the 1870s.

It was invited to join the breakaway Victorian Football League in 1897.[1] The competition was renamed to the Australian Football League in 1990 and is where the club currently resides. Because of the football club's navy blue and white hooped socks, which resembled the outfit of a butcher, the club was informally referred to as the Butchers. It was also for a time referred to be some as the Brewers, due to the suburb's most famous product.[citation needed]

Carlton Football Club hoist the 1906 VFL premiership flag at the Carlton Oval in 1907

Carlton made its first VFL grand final in the year of 1904 to be defeated by Fitzroy.[1] Two years later in 1906, it was to enter the first of five consecutive grand finals. The first three were all premierships and Carlton became the first team in the history of the VFL/AFL to win three-in-a-row.[2] The fourth grand final in 1909 made Carlton the closest team to attempt to win four-in-a-row, as it was narrowly beaten by just 2 points to South Melbourne (now Sydney Swans). Had it not been for the political trouble that plagued the club early in the season, the result could well have been different. However, this remarkable feat was subsequently surpassed during the Great Depression by the club's greatest rival - Collingwood (which became famous as 'The Machine') in 1927-30.[2] In Carlton's fifth grand final in 1910, they were defeated by Collingwood and this was the beginning of a strong rivalry between the two clubs that would endure for more than a century. Collingwood's working-class supporter base, close geographic proximity, and many historic on-field (and occasional off-field) tussles mark the rivalry as one of the strongest in the AFL. 1910 had been a controversial year for the club, two players including Alex Lang were banned for 99 games (approximately 6 years) after being found guilty of accepting bribes to play poorly.

Carlton has traditionally been in the top 2 most powerful on-field clubs,[3] boasting a winning record over 11 of the 15 other clubs currently in the competition, including all the VFL teams such as notable rivals Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond.[4] Many memorable battles have been contested against them, most notably in a thriller in the 1947 Grand Final when Carlton beat Essendon by one point, and again in the 1968 Grand Final when Carlton beat Essendon to win by 3 points. In the Grand Final of 1972, Carlton defeated Richmond in a goal kicking spree that saw fifty goals kicked - the highest number of goals ever kicked in a Grand Final.[5]

Recent history

Former Carlton Logo

The development of the game becoming a national league has affected Victorian-based clubs and the consequential success of interstate clubs has influenced Carlton's current success record.

Changes within the rules of the national competition meant that Carlton and other Victorian teams cannot, as easily, recruit the best players from across Australia because many non-Victorian players can now be recruited by home-town clubs. The recruiting mechanism of all such players is now part of the draft pick process.[6] In addition all teams are confronted by the rules of the salary cap which is designed to limit the funds spent of players in any given season, in an attempt to create a level playing field. Prior to the salary cap, rich Victorian clubs such as Carlton were able to attract prospective players to the club by offering more money than the less successful clubs.

In the year of its last premiership in 1995, Carlton set a new AFL/VFL record by losing only two games for the entire season having been beaten by the Sydney Swans and St. Kilda.[7] This record stood until 2000 when rivals Essendon went through the entire season losing only one game against the Western Bulldogs.[8] Carlton went on to defeat Geelong comfortably in the 1995 Grand Final, with Stephen Kernahan kicking 5 goals. Carlton's last finals appearance was in the 2009 second elimination final against Brisbane, which the Lions won by 7 Points.

In 2002 the club was in great turmoil. Off-field the club had mounting financial losses and accounting irregularities which ultimately caused the club president John Elliott to resign from office and the subsequent removal of his name from the John Elliott Grandstand.[9] He was succeeded by Ian Collins as president in 2003. On-field the team went through the entire season without winning a single game on its home ground, which culminated in the club claiming the wooden spoon for finishing last on the AFL ladder for the first time in its history. Carlton was the last club of the original AFL/VFL teams to 'win' its first wooden spoon.[2]

Under the new Collins administration, it was discovered that the club's previous administration had been making extra, secret payments to certain players.[10] This violation of the AFL salary cap resulted in the club receiving a record total fine of $980,000 and being banned from first and second round picks in the annual player draft for two years, hampering attempts to rebuild the club's player group. Brendan Goddard and Daniel Wells, who respectively went to St. Kilda and North Melbourne at picks 1 and 2, were two players who possibly would have been selected by Carlton.[11]

Its coach Wayne Brittain, who had taken over the coaching duties in 2001, had his contract terminated and was replaced by Denis Pagan for the 2003 season. Brittain's arrival couldn't have come at a worse time since he took over a club on the verge of collapse which severely damaged his AFL coaching career prospects and he remains a potential coach who was never given a proper coaching opportunity at this level.

The appointment of Denis Pagan as senior coach in 2003 was an attempt to turn the club around. However, Carlton's predicament was clearly underestimated as even Pagan, with a reputation of being one of the best coaches in VFL/AFL history with his impressive long run of premierships with several clubs at several levels,[12] was unable to reverse Carlton's football plight in the short term. It had become apparent that the Carlton team had to be replaced with a more youthful lineup and this has developed over the past 3 years as the club's policy. Recruitment has centred on Carlton attempting to recruit players under 24 years old who are likely to have the capability to play at least 100 games.

At the beginning of 2005, the attempt at turning around the club's fortune seemed to have realised some goals with the success in the pre-season Wizard Cup.[13] However that success was short-lived as the club failed to maintain its form for the home-and-away season and it again finished on the bottom of the ladder for just the second time in its history. It became the second club to win the pre-season/night series competition and the wooden spoon in the same year, with Footscray (now the Western Bulldogs) having done so in 1967.[13]

In 2005 the club also became the last of the former VFL clubs to move away from its original home ground when it played its last match at Optus Oval against Melbourne in Round 9 of the 2005 season.[14] Carlton had played at Princes Park for 108 years. Carlton now play half of their home games at Etihad Stadium and the other half at the MCG. (The games at the MCG are generally against traditional rivals Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne.

The 2006 season saw Carlton win back-to-back wooden spoons for the first time in its history.[2] At season's end, this led to widespread unrest within the club whose board had initially voted to terminate Denis Pagan's contract, but subsequently overturned the vote on a second ballot.[15] A group of out-spoken and disgruntled former players who were part of the clean-out a few years earlier, lead by Fraser Brown and Barry Mitchell, wanted to have Pagan replaced by Mitchell as coach for the 2007 season. Brett Ratten was mooted as a replacement coach as well. The board decided to allow Pagan to coach for the next two seasons through to season 2008.[15]

2007 began on several bright notes for Carlton. The appointments of Richard Pratt as President,[16]Steven Icke as Football Manager[17] and Greg Swann as CEO[18] have calmed the off-field controversy. These events have also been reflected in growing membership numbers, with the club almost reaching a previously hopeful target of 30,000 members before the start of the season. Carlton made a good on-field start to the year, defeating Essendon, Hawthorn and the Kangaroos in the knock-out NAB Cup competition to reach the Pre-Season Grand Final. On 17 March 2007 Carlton defeated the Brisbane Lions to win the NAB Cup by 25 points in front of over 46,000 fans at the Etihad Stadium.[13]

On 24 July 2007, following a loss to the Brisbane Lions by 117 points, Denis Pagan was sacked as coach and replaced on an interim basis by Brett Ratten.[19] On 20 August 2007, the club announced that Ratten would become full time coach for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

On 11 October 2007 during the AFL trade week, Chris Judd was officially traded to Carlton along with a third round selection in the 2007 AFL Draft (#46 overall) for Carlton's first and second round selections (#3 and #20) and Josh Kennedy.

On 15 October 2007, Carlton announced it had delisted its captain, Lance Whitnall, after receiving medical reports that his knee injury would affect his ability to train in 2008.

Carlton began its pre-season with an exhibition match in South Africa against the Fremantle Football Club. Carlton won its first round NAB Cup match against Port Adelaide before losing to Hawthorn the next week.

Carlton showed noticeable improvement during the 2008 Home & Away season, boasting an 10-11 win-loss record after Round 21. Notable wins came against arch-rival Collingwood in round 4 to snap a 14 match losing streak that dated back to mid 2007. There was also a memorable come from behind victory over 2007 runners-up Port Adelaide at AAMI stadium in round 11. The Blues trailed by 30 points at three quarter time and had registered just three goals before piling on seven goals to none in the last quarter to snatch victory. Carlton backed up their early season victory over Collingwood with another come from behind win over the Magpies in Round 12. The Blues spent a week inside the eight after the match. The first time since 2001 that this has occurred in the second half of the season.

The Blues finished their 2008 season with 10 wins and 12 losses to equal their 2004 season. Two losses to arch rival Essendon soured a positive season of rebuilding.

Carlton started the 2009 Season strongly, defeating Richmond in the highly anticipated "Judd vs. Cousins" game in Round 1 by 83 points in front of a bumper crowd of over 86,000, followed by defeating the Brisbane Lions by 19 points, putting Carlton First on the AFL Premiership Ladder for the first time since 1996. However the Blues' positive start was halted by Essendon, who won a classic match in front of over 70,000 spectators by 4 points, and a loss to Sydney. A win over 2008 finalists the Western Bulldogs was followed by losses to 2008 premier Hawthorn (again by 4 points in a thrilling match played in front of a large crowd at the MCG) and Fremantle, leaving the Blues in 7th position on the AFL Ladder one third of the way through the home-and-away season.

Round eight saw a much improved Carlton take on traditional rivals Collingwood, in front of over 82,000 spectators at the MCG. The Blues jumped the 'Pies early, kicking five goals to nil in the first quarter. Carlton were never threatened for the rest of the game, running out winners by 51 points.

The team came crashing back to Earth the following week, with a dismal first half performance in their round 10 clash with Adelaide at AAMI stadium. Half time saw the home team up by 49 points, with Carlton yet to kick a goal. Whilst Carlton improved in the second half, kicking eight goals to seven, the damage had been done and Adelaide ran out winners by 44 points. The very next week however the team bounced back again with a 41 point win over West Coast. The next round Carlton enjoyed a magnificent 6 point win over the Brisbane Lions at the GABBA, The Blues held on just as they let buy 30 points in the last term. Round 15 was a special game as it was a Rite of Passage game. Carlton played Richmond and Brenden Fevola kicked 9.1 (his career best) to help the Blues to a 20 point win. Round 16 saw a clash between Carlton and Sydney. at quarter time, Carlton was in the lead by three points (3.4.22 to 3.1.19) but by half-time Sydney were 9 points ahead (4.6.30 to 6.3.39). However after half-time Carlton ran out comfortable winners by 61 points; this ended a 12-match losing streak against the Swans which had dated back to 2000. It was the longest losing streak for any one team against another in recent AFL History. Round 17 in front of 84,938, against their old foes in Collingwood, the Blues were only able to manage 4 goals. The Club is playing Finals for the first time in eight years. In the elimination final, the Blues lost against Brisbane by 7 points after leading by 30 points early in the final quarter. On Friday the 9th of October 2009 Carlton traded Brendan Fevola to the Brisbane Lions along with draft pick number 24 in exchange for Lachlan Henderson and draft pick 12.

The club is based at Princes Park (officially known now as Visy Park in a sponsorship deal) in northern Carlton.[20] The suburb combines the academic air of the nearby University of Melbourne with a large quotient of immigrants from Southern Europe, and both groups still leave their mark on the Carlton supporter base. In 2004, then Carlton President Ian Collins began the process with Vice-President Graham Smorgon of reviewing Carlton's continued presence at the ground. It was decided that six home games be played at Etihad Stadium (Docklands Stadium) and five at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A "farewell" game was played at Princes Park on Saturday 21 May in 2005.[21] Despite an overwhelming majority of members voting for the home ground move, it was not altogether popular with all club supporters. Training and social club facilities at Princes Park remain. Carlton became the final suburban club to move away from its original suburban home ground. It also ended the only unbroken playing venue link throughout the entire 108 year history of the VFL/AFL.

Works are currently underway to redevelop the ground to make it into an elite training facility for the players. The project will see the currently dilapidated facilities to be replaced with a high-tech gym, indoor swimming pool and medical centre that will rival the facilities of Collingwood's Lexus Centre. The Blues currently have an arrangement that allows the Melbourne Storm NRL club to train, and base its administration offices, at Princes Park. The Storm, 2007 NRL Premiers, hosted a well-attended fan day there after their premiership win. Many Carlton Blues players and officials attended this day, and there is a close relationship between the Blues and Storm administrations and playing staff.

Club jumper

The current jumper design consists of a navy blue backing, CFC monogram and AFL logo on front, and bold white numbers on back. The club's current major sponsors are Mars Bar and Hyundai, with Nike as the club's apparel sponsor. For home games, the Hyundai logo is displayed on the front, while 'Mars' is written beneath the player numbers on the back. The sponsors change positions when the club is playing away.

In April 2006, the club announced a "clash" jumper in accordance to the AFL's request that each club have an alternative jumper to be worn against other clubs in similar design. The jumper consists of inverted colours from the regular home season outfit, complemented by blue stripes on the sides. This white jumper was first worn on Friday, 4 May 2007 in the club's 43 point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

In 1997, the club played one game in pale blue guernseys to promote the introduction of blue M&M's to Australia. The commercialisation of their famous guernsey was met with some derision

In 2009, the Carlton Blues wore a yellow guernsey with the blue c,f,c, on it against the Fremantle Dockers at Subiaco. The club did this to help promote Lance Armstrong's Livestrong campaign to raise cancer awearness[citation needed]. The club was known as the banana blues by the Herald Sun when they wore it .[22]

Club song

We are the Navy Blues is the official club song of the Carlton Football Club. It is sung to the tune of "Lily of Laguna" by Leslie Stuart.

^ ABC News ABC Radio Transcript"The Australian Football League today charged Carlton with two salary cap breaches in the season 2000" Retrieved on 2007-04-15.

^ Aussport.com.au Ethical Sports Business Practices"...a deliberate, sophisticated and elaborate scheme implemented by some former directors of the Carlton Football Club to breach the total players payments provisions of the AFL's Rules'... This cost the club a fine of $930,000 plus an additional fine of $50,000 recently incurred for another salary cap breach and Carlton were also stripped of their draft choices."

^Profile of Denis Pagan"Pagan coached the team to the finals for a record 8 consecutive years (including the AFL record of 7 consecutive preliminary finals.)" Retrieved on 2007-04-15.

The Carlton Football Club, the Blues, is an Australian Rules Football team that plays in the Australian Football League. It is based in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton. The club began in 1864, and its first home ground was a clearing in Melbourne's Royal Park.[1] In its first season the Blues won only one game out of ten. In 1877, the club joined the Victorian Football Association, and then in 1897 it joined the Victorian Football League as one of its orginal teams.[1] After using grounds in East Melbourne and Melbourne University, the club moved to its new football ground at Princess Park, Carlton in 1897.[2] In 1908, the club added the letters CFC to its navy blue jumpers.[1]